The Moon generally rises in the eastern half of the horizon and sets in the western half for observers outside the polar circles. The specific direction varies seasonally and with the phase of the Moon, so it may rise in the east- northeast or east-southeast and set in the west-northwest or west-southwest. When the Moon is full, it typically rises close to due east and sets close to due west, especially near the Vernal and Fall Equinoxes. This pattern is due to Earth's eastward rotation. The Moonrise and moonset times also change daily, with the Moon rising on average about 50 minutes later each day, because of the Moon's orbit around Earth.
